Vial filler



Feb. 19, 1952 D. D. WASHBURN ET AL 2,586586 VIAL FILLER Filed Jan. 22.1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 www D. D. WASHBURN ETA Feb. 19, 1952 Filed Jan.22, 1948 Feb. 19, 1952 D. D. wAsHBURN ET AL 2,586,586

VIAL FIL-LER Filed Jan. 22, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 19, 1952 D. D.WASI-:BURN E-rAL 2,586,586

VIAL FILLER Filed Jan. 22, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Feb. 19, 1952VIAL FILLER Dan D. Washburn, El Cerrito, and Wayne L. Elder, Richmond,Calif., assignors. to Cutter Laboratories, Berkeley, Calif., acorporation of California Application January 22, 1948, Serial No.3,766,

3 Claims.

through parallel runways formed thereon until their further progress isarrested by a trans- Verse barrier. Vertically reciprocable plungersextending through the runways then turn the tablets over the barriersonto forwardly and latterally declining deector plates which serve toupend the tablets and to guide them into narrower and forwardlydeclining channels converging at their lower ends into a transversetrough. Arranged for reciprocation within the trough is a loading rod bymeans of which the row of contiguous tablets accommodated within thetrough can be pushed into the open end of a vial located adjacent to andin alignment with the trough.

The invention possesses other advantageous features, some of which withthe foregoing will be set forth at length in the following descriptionwhere that form of the invention which has been selected forillustration in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of thepresent specification is outlined in full. In said drawings, one form ofthe invention is shown, but it is to be understood that it is notlimited to such form, since the invention as set forth in the claims,may be embodied in a plurality of forms.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a filling and countting machine embodyingthe objects of our invenion.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the vibrating tray which constitutes oneofy the elements of our machine.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the declining channels or runways to whichthe tablets are delivered from the vibrating tray.

Fig, 4 is a vertical section taken on the section line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

Fig, 5 is a vertical section taken on the section line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. .6 is a vertical section taken on the section line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a section taken on the-section line 1--1 0f Fig. 1.

Fig. .8 is a section taken on the section line 8-8 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a section taken on the section line 9-9 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary section taken on the section line III-III ofFig. 2.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary front end elevation of the structure shown insection in Fig. l0.

The machine as shown in these various figures includes a base or table Isupported on legs 2. Bolted to, and extending across the table I are apair of opposed parallel channels 3 and 4 and welded to these channelsare va twin set of spring retainers 5. Seated in each of the retainers 5is a coil spring 6, and mounted on these springs, side by side, is apair of vibrators 'I of standard construction driven by individualelectric motors 8. Fastened to each of the vibrators 'I is a bracket 9,and mounted on each of these brackets is a tray II including anupstanding rear wall I2, upstanding side walls I3, and an open forwardend I4. Fastened to the floor of each tray II are a series oflongitudinally extending, transversely spaced partitions I5 defining anumber of runways I6. As clearly indicated in Fig. 2, the partitions I5extend from the forward open end I4 of each tray to a point somewhatshort of the rear end thereof. The width of the runways I6 should beslightly greater than the diameter of tablets on which the machine isdesigned to operate, and preferably every alternate partition should beshorter than the intermediate partitions so as to form a runway entranceI'I for the tablets delivered to the rear ends of the trays. Fastenedto, and eX- tending transversely across each tray at a point adjacentits forward end is a bar or barrier I8. Formed in the oor of each of thetrays II immediately to the rear of its barrier IB and within theconfines of channels I6 are drilled holes I9.

Fastened to the table I in vertical alignment with the rowof holes I9 isa pair of opposed bearing brackets 2|, and journaled inv these bracketsis a driven shaft 22. Fixed to the shaft 22 is a gear 23 arranged tomesh with a worm 24,

vthe worm '24 being fastened to a vertical shaft 25 journaled at itsupper end in a bracket 26, which in turn is mounted on the table I. Thelower end of the shaft 25 is operatively associated with and driven by avariable speed electric motor 2`I supported from the table I. Fastenedto the shaft 22 over the longitudinal center line of each of the twotrays I l, is a flanged cam 2 8 arranged to engage a roller 29.

VMounted on the table I are two coplanar pairs of transversely spacedupstanding brackets 3l, and fastened to the upper end of each of thesebrackets is a sleeve 32. Slidably disposed in each of these sleeves is arod 33 (see Fig. 4) and welded to and across each pair of rods 33 is ashaft 34, each pair of rods 33 and shaft 34 forming an inverted U-shapedframe. Fastened to the lower end of each of the rods 33 is a tting 35formed at its lower end with a hole, and fastened to and across eachpair of fittings 35 by means of these holes is a shaft 36. Journaled onthe shaft 36 is one of the rollers 29 previously referred to, and whichis actuated by its associated cam 28. Welded to each of the shafts 34are a number of blocks 31 (see Figs. 1, 4 and 10) and fastened to theupper ends thereof are pusher bars or plungers 38 arranged toreciprocate through the holes I9 formed in the trays il. The upper endsof the pushers are rearwardly inclined, and upon the upward movement ofthe pushers, serve to turn the overlying tablets over the barriers I8.Surrounding each of the rods 33 between the sleeves 32 and fittings 35is a coil spring 39 functioning to bias the shafts 36 downwardly tothereby maintain the rollers 29 always in positive engagement with theirassociated cams 28.

As best shown in Figs, 2, lll and l1, the forward ends of the runways I6terminate opposed pairs of downwardly and laterally declining deectorplates 4I serving to upend the tablets passing thereover and -to directthem into aligned, forwardly converging and declining channels to belater described.

Fastened to the rear face of the channel 3 are a pair of opstandingbrackets 42, there being I' one such bracket lying in the verticalplane, including the longitudinal center line of each of the trays Il.Welded to the upper end of each of the brackets 42 is a forwardlyinclined 'arm 43. Welded to the outer end of each of the arms 43 andforming a T therewith is a transverse rod 44. Pivoted to each of theserods by ears 45 is a tablet hopper generally designated by the referencenumeral 46, provided with a false bottom 41 and formed with an inletopening 48, with a discharge opening 49 and with an opening 5I in itsfalse bottom for establishing communication between the compartment 52formed above it and the passageway 53 formed below it. Welded to theforward corner of each hopper is a deecting plate 53 overlying butspaced from the discharge opening 49. Bridging the space between the twohoppers 46, and welded to their adjacent sides, is a clip 511 and weldedto this clip is a rearwardly extending spring retaining finger or rod55. Fastened to the lower rear corner of one of the hoppers i6 is an ear56, and pivoted thereto is a rod 51. Fastened to the outer end of thefinger 55 is the upper end of a coil spring 58, the lower end thereofbeing clamped to the rod 51 to thereby resiliently hold both hoppers intheir normal non-dispensing position. Pivoted to the lower end of therod 51 is the rear end of a rst class lever 59, the lever 59 beinghinged intermediate its ends to a cross-member 6I' supported by the baseI. The forward end of the lever 59 serves as a pedal, the depression ofwhich.operates to upset the hoppers 4B to their dispensing positions,the forward ends thereof being located immediately above the rear endsof the trays II.

l Mounted on the forward end of the base I 1s a forwardly decliningfabricated frame generally designated by the reference numeral 62.Supported on the rear portion of this frame iS a plate 63, and fastenedthereon are a number of opstanding walls 64, forming a series of paired,forwardly converging channels 65. The rear ends 66 of the channels 65underlie the forward ends of the runways i6 and are slightly divergent.The forward ends of the channels 65 are oontiguous to each other, andthe width of the channels throughout their entire length except theirflared rear ends, should be only slightly greater than the depth of thetablets on which the machine is designed to operate.

Mounted on the frame 52 in abutment with the plate 63 is a block 6'!(see Fig. 6) provided on its upper surface with channels 58 formingcontinuations of the channels 65, and of the same width. The upper endsof the channels 68 are formed with notches 66, each of a sufficientlength to permit a tablet to fall therethrough. Fastened to the frame 62immediately beneath the notches 69 is a chute 1I, the lower end of whichis arranged to communicate with a container for receiving any tabletsthat may vfall through the notches 63S and which occurs when thechannels 68 are completely filled. When the upper end of any channel 68contains no tablet, the next oncoming tablet simply jumps the notch 69.Extending transversely across the lower end of the block 61 in opencommunication with the channels 68 is a trough 'I2 for the reception ofthe tablets which roll down the channels 68. Fastened on either side ofthe block in alignment with the trough 12 are bearing plates 'I3 and"I4, the plate 'i4 being provided with a laterally extending sleeve 15.Arranged to slide through the plate 13, trough 12, plate 14 and sleeve15 is a vial loading rod or pusher 16 formed on one side thereof with alon-I gitudinally extending groove 11 of predetermined length, and atone end with an operating knob 16a. Disposed in a radial hole 18 formedin the sleeve 15 'and receivable in the groove 11 is' a. spring-loadedball 18a serving to limit the stroke of the loading rod 16. Fastened toor formed integral with the plate 13 is a semicircular vial supportingchannel 19 disposed coaxially with the loading rod 16.

Mounted on the forward face of the base I is a control panel 3|including switches 82 to which the lines 83 from the motors 8 areconnected, preferably and conventionally through suitable rheostats, andto which the leads 84 from the motors 21 are connected, and alsoincluding controls 85 for the above mentioned rheostats.

In the operation of the machine above dea scribed, the twin hoppers 46are loaded with` tablets through their respective inlets 48 and` tabletsfrom the hoppers are delivered through their passageways 53 anddischarge openings 49 to the rear ends of their associated trays Il' bydepressing the forward end of the lever 59. If then the vibrators 1 areenergized, the tablets on each tray will start walking forwardly intoand along the runways I5 until their further progress is arrested by thebarriers i8. If at this point the motors 21 have been put into operationso as to reciprocate the pushers 38, the pushers will elevate and upsetthe overlying tablets, over the barriers to the forward sides thereof.Thus far then, the function of the machine has been to segregate thetablets into forwardly advancing columns and to transfer them to theforward side of the barrier at a predeternled rate. Uponreaching theforward ends of the runways I6, each tablet is upended bythe deflectorplates 4I from its side to its edge, enters the flared end 66 of one ofthe' channels 65 in that position, and under the influence of gravityrolls down this channel' and the aligned channel 68 of the block 61 intothe transverse trough 12 or into engagement with the side of the loadingrod 16. In so doing, the tablet jumps the notch 69. If, however, thechannel B8 is completely lled with tablets, the forward movement of thenext succeeding tablet is arrested by the last tablet in this channel,thereby causing the succeeding tablet to drop through the notch into thechute 1 I. Periodically, the operator sitting in front of the machineplaces a vial on the supporting channel 'I9 and reciprocates the loadingrod 16 so as to fill the vial with a row of tablets numerically equal tothe number of channels 68 formed in the machine.

We claim:

1. A tablet aligning machine comprising: a tray provided on its upper'face with fore and aft extending runways of a width slightly greaterthan the diameter of the tablets on which said machine is designed tooperate, said runways ter minating at their forward ends in downwardlyand laterally extending deflector plates; a forwardly declining plateextending forwardly from said tray,v said plate being provided withchannels forming a continuation of said runways, but of a width slightlylarger than the depth of one of said tablets and with a transversetablet.v receiving trough at its lower end; means for vibrating saidtray in the direction of its runways so as to cause tablets depositedthereon to walk forwardly through said runways; a barrier extendingacross said runways for arresting the forward movement of said tablet;plungers arranged to reciprocate up and down through said tray withinits runways and immediately behind said barrier for turning said tabletsover said barrier; and a push rod mounted in said trough and arranged todischarge a row of tablets therefrom.

2. A machine of the character described for lling a vial with tabletscomprising: a base; a tray mounted on said base and having a forwardopen end, parallel runways formed in said tray and extending rearwardlyfrom the forward open end thereof to a point somewhat forward of itsrear end, the width of said runways being slightly greater than thediameter of said tablets; means for subjecting said tray to a fore andaft vibratory movement for causing tablets supported thereon to moveforwardly thereof; a barrier extending transversely across said runwaysadjacent the forward ends thereof; a plunger extending upwardly throughthe oor of each of said runways immediately to the rear of its barrierand means for reciprocating said plungers; a, forwardly and laterallydeclining deflector plate mounted on the forwardend of each of saidrunways in longitudinal alignment therewith; forwardly decliningcoplanar run-- ways mounted on said base with their rear ends positionedimmediately beneath and in longitudinal alignment with the runwaysformed in said tray, said declining runways being forwardly convergentso that their forward ends are contiguous; a trough extendingtransversely across and in communication with the forward ends of saiddeclining runways; and a plunger arranged to traverse said trough.

3. A machine of the character described comprising: a base; a vibratorresiliently mounted on the rear end of said base; a substantiallyhorizontal tray mounted on said vibrator, said tray being provided withan open forward end, with an unobstructed rear end portion and with aplurality of parallel contiguous runways extending from saidunobstructed rear end portion to said open forward end, the width ofeach of said runways being slightly larger than the diameter of thetablets on which said machine is designed to operate; forwardly anddownwardly extending tablet deflectors mounted on the forward ends ofsaid runways for turning said tablets from their sides to their edges; abarrier extending transversely across said runways adjacent the forwardends thereof; a plunger extending through the oor of each runwayimmediately to the rear of its transverse barrier. the upper ends ofsaid plungers being rearwardly inclined and arranged to upset saidtablets over said barriers upon the upward stroke thereof; means forreciprocating said plungers, forwardly declining runways mounted 4onsaid base with their rear ends immediately beneath the forward open endof said tray in alignment with the runways, said declining runwaysconverging at their forward ends so as to be contiguous; a troughextending transversely across the lower ends of said declining runways;and a plunger arranged to traverse said trough.

DAN D. `lWASI-IBlllN. WAYNE L. EIDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,220,801 Varga Mar. 27, 19172,109,301 Nakane Feb. 22, 1938 2,405,447 Persson Aug. 6, 1946 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 4 471,222 Germany Feb. 13, 1929 577,028Germany Oct. 11, 1931

